The new visa integrity fee will apply to nonimmigrant visa categories, including business travelers. In some cases, it raises the overall cost of securing entry to the U.S. to about $442 per person, according to the U.S. Department of State.
The Water Environment Federation (WEF), which produces the largest event in North America for water quality professionals and technologies, is expecting fallout. Its 2025 WEFTEC runs September 27 to October 1 at Chicago’s McCormick Place.
Raymond Bianchi, managing director of business development, corporate sales and industry relations for the WEF, said the show is anticipating a drop in international exhibitors, the loss of some international pavilions, and fewer Canadian attendees.
“It’s always been difficult to get international attendees to U.S. trade shows and conventions and this new fee will make it even worse,” said Bianchi.
He expects the added cost to impact mid-level professionals the most. “Those with roles of director or VP or below will not attend as it will be cost prohibitive,” he said.
Vincent Polito, CEO of the Society of Independent Show Organizers (SISO) agrees. “I’d expect to see fewer people from the same organization attending a show,” he said.
International Competitors Take Advantage
International competitors are already seizing the moment, according to Bianchi.
“We have a competitor in Germany who is telling exhibitors and attendees, ‘Our show is easy to get to. You can get a visa, no problem.’ And basically they’re able to capture a lot of markets that, for us, will be challenging because of these fees,’” he said.
WEF is working Industry associations to help push back on the fee. “But to be perfectly honest, the government, or at least the State Department, doesn’t seem very receptive. We have three more years of this administration and these policies seem to be in place, so I think there’s going to be a great challenge,” said Bianchi.
For Bianchi, the risk goes beyond his upcoming trade show. “They’re not going to take time out of their schedule. They’re going to go to another country, another place to do the same business because it’s difficult to come here,” he said.
Polito said he has heard from members, “What’s the latest impediment the U.S. is going to install.”
Some organizers have considered discounting registration fees in the same way clubs discount fees for members traveling from a greater distance, said Polito.
CES Stays the Course
The Consumer Technology Association (CTA), producer of CES, is advocating for streamlined policies and provides detailed resources to help international attendees navigate the challenges.
“While the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), owner and producer of CES, does not have any influence over the visa process, we encourage the U.S. government to expedite and approve visas for individuals who are traveling to the U.S. for legitimate business reasons. As producer of the largest international business event in the U.S. that supports the economy of our host city, Las Vegas, CTA advocates for policies that facilitate the visa process,” the organization said in a statement.
CTA uses its global roadshows to build momentum for CES and to reassure participants and share visa guidance.
Visa Help
On its website, CES maintains a dedicated section for international attendees with information about the visa application process and including the new $250 Visa Integrity Fee.
Carina Bauer, CEO of IMEX Group, said IMEX has not felt an impact yet. “We are not experiencing many inquiries from international attendees or exhibitors regarding visas or visa integrity fees. Our customer service team is equipped to assist people with requirements and letters for visa applications and they do this regularly for both our Frankfurt and Las Vegas shows,” she said.
“For all international travellers we point them towards the U.S. Travel advisory page for the most up-to-date information on gaining entry into the USA. IMEX America will again be an extremely international show and we’re expecting participants from approximately 80 countries as per previous editions.”
Associations representing the broader business events sector are responding.
“ECA supports efforts to ensure that would-be international exhibitors and attendees can obtain visas as expeditiously as possible while modernizing the visa processing system. Policies such as the $250 fee and recent sunsetting of various interview waivers harm those efforts and potentially erode the competitiveness of the U.S. as the premier global destination for business and professional events,” the Exhibitions & Conferences Alliance (ECA) said in a statement.
